New Delhi: In a significant step toward transforming India’s maritime infrastructure, several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) signed landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on the eve of the “Samudra Se Samriddhi – Transforming India’s Maritime Sector” event.
The agreements aim to accelerate port development, capacity augmentation, and multimodal connectivity, aligning with the government’s vision for a robust and globally competitive maritime ecosystem.
New Bahuda Port in Odisha to Handle 150 MTPA Cargo
- A flagship MoU was signed between:
- Paradip Port Authority
- Visakhapatnam Port Authority
- Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited
Government of Odisha
This MoU paves the way for the development of a new deep-draft port at Bahuda, with a proposed handling capacity of 150 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
- Location: Over 6,700 acres of coastal salt land in Odisha
- Estimated Investment: ₹21,500 crore
- Employment Generation: ~25,000 direct and indirect jobs
The Bahuda Port is poised to become a maritime anchor for port-led industrialization, logistics hubs, and manufacturing clusters in eastern India, covering parts of Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.
Water Metro Project in Patna to Modernize Urban River Transport
In another landmark agreement, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed an MoU with the Government of Bihar to launch a Water Metro Project in Patna.
- Project Cost: ₹908 crore
- Focus: Energy-efficient electric ferries, modern terminals, and multimodal integration
The Patna Water Metro will operate across four key river routes, with 10 terminals strategically located to serve high-traffic zones in the city. This project is expected to:
- Modernize urban water transport
- Improve last-mile connectivity
Serve as a national pilot for similar projects in other Indian river cities
A Vision for Maritime Transformation
The MoUs signed at the “Samudra Se Samriddhi” event reflect the Centre’s unwavering commitment to:
- Enhancing India’s port capacities
- Leveraging coastal and inland waterways
- Promoting clean and sustainable transport systems
- Supporting the Make in India and Logistics Efficiency Enhancement programs
Both the Bahuda port and the Patna Water Metro represent next-generation infrastructure designed to bring in large-scale investments, create employment, and position India as a key player in global maritime trade.
